Maternity corset



March 8, 1927.

H. LOCKWOOD MATERNITY CORSET Filed Aug. 29, 1921 2 Sheets-Shee'c l Patented Mar. 8, 1927.

UNITED? AIZEATHA H. IJOGKWOOID} OF"HABTF-ORD, CONNECTICUT.

MATERNITY: CORSET.

App1ication filed'Aug'ust 29, 1921. seriarno. 496,205.-

This invention is a. maternity corset, so constituted that itis adapted to bea-worn duringalllstages ofpregnancy, and isespecially adaptedfor properly sustaining the prospective. mother. prior to childbirth, although-equally applicable. for use during. the periods immediately.therea-fter..

Maternity corsets, as now generally constructed, in. the main, are intended not so muchzto give propersupport, but. more especially to suit the. requirementsof over.- sensitive persons, who, because of falsemodesty, desire atall times, and particularly during, the latter stages, ..just prior. to confinement, to maintain. the substantially. nor.- malappearance ofvthe figureu As aresult of this. feeling 5 on, the v p art. of women, the question-of figure is the primary consideration with the majority of corsetieres.- V

Corsets, ,however, h ave been suggested. of which it was claimed that they would properly support the abdomembut, .in..1nany of these. instances, these corsets were designed to" draw; in. the abdomen through a pressure directlya ainstv the same,,which pres sure. was exerted over. the hips. In other Words, many. maternity corsets are. made quite long, so as to extend downwardly over the tiguretoaapoint below the crotch and they are so constituted thaththey may. be

laced. tightly about the hips over the abdomen in. such manner as to. force the abdomen back. in a direction. toward the spinal column.

It. will be understood, however, thatif along, straight corset! is laced tightly about the hips, itwillserve to force the hips to.- gether, thereby not only forcing the unbornchild into an abnormal position, but also effecting an abnormal protrusion of the abdo'nrlen.

It manifestly appears thatcorsets which depend on the tightening of the lowerpor,- tion of the'corset about the hips for the purpose of pressing back the' abdomen', operate upon mechanical principlesentirely opposed in their action to each other.

Long continued experimentation and practical experience, couplediwith a thorough understandingof physiology and medical practicahave lead me to conclusively believe that: in'order. toproperly. function, a maternity corsetmust beso constructed, that it will-.permitrof the natural broadenin of the hips, andnormal curve-ofthe. abdomen, as development progresses and at .the

same timewill support the abdomenof..,the

causes her to stoop,,so. that she. walks with a stooped'figure, wh'iclfis invariably accompanied with I a forward 'bendingofthe. body at the hips, thisbeing manifested.by a protrusion of the buttocks... As-soonasaqaatient acquires .this. habit off'slightly stooping primarily, for the purpose of relieving pull on the muscles, the raetualpullzbecomes greater than before and.thepatientexperiences pronounced ,lassitud'e, .usually accomp anied by-mental ,depression; If :the. patient can realize natural. support: at all. times, while maintaining.v a correct: upstanding car.-

riage,.th'e problemniay, be. dealt with much i more readily than otherwise, and. more comfort can be a had than could: possibly be. obtained'with a stoopingfigure. I

lVith these considerations:- in. mind; the corset of the present invention is so constituted that it: will, above. all things, cause the wearer to. maintain .acorrect upstanding posture. I

In conjunction with this important feature, the corset is further. constructed to permit of a. natural expansion through the hips whileholding;thein firm: Another Very important advantage. and 'one. of. the. salient features of this inventionrresidesin thesfact that the corset, insteadloffbeing made very long in the front andv constructed to bridge across the crotch fromione: leg totheaother, is so shaped that it will closely. conforinto the-contour of the.- abdomen.witlrthe lower edge of its front .portionso cut. thatsaid lower edge will closely conform to the groin lines. flhisis avery important feature, since itppermitsthe-lower. portion of" the front of. the corset. to properly conform with the abdomen throughout, and. particularly so; over the lower abdomen.- By this con struction, the corset actually reaches down after; the;manner of sling,underv the abdomen, andpartalres of. a position wherein it. is capable of artificiallycarrying, the weight. which wouldiotherwise be imposed entirely upon the abdominal muscles.

. In order that thisweight may be. properly carried, the corset,ispreferably; pro.- videdwith a series of carrying band's,.,which extend in diverging or fan shaped relation over the lower abdomen and form a sort of sling, in which the welght 1s carried; The

weight imposed on the sling is com1nuni-- cated thereby substantially to the waistline and preferably above the hips of the wearer to a belt portion incorporated in the corset structure and adapted to encircle the body of the wearer, so that said weight is properly distributed in such manner as to not cause constriction at any point and particularly so as not to force the hips together, but rather to hold the sacro-iliac region firm. I

In the preferred form of corset made in accordance with this invention, I unite with the belt portion, adjacent the point of uniting of the abdominal carrying bands, back retaining bands which extend rearwardly and downwardly and terminate at the back of the corset in a point where they will directly overlie the lower portion of the buttocks.

The function of these bands is, in the main, two-fold. They serve, in the first place, to retain the lower end of the spinal column in such position that the wearer will not have a tendency to lean forward and protrude the seat as by bending at the hips. In the sec 0nd place, they cooperate with the abdominal carrying bands to collectively form therewith a sling passing uninterruptedly below the base of the sacrum upwardly over the hips and downwardly over the lower abdomen.

From a mechanical standpoint, it will appear that with this construction, the weight carried-by the abdominal carrying bands will be transmitted upwardly and over the hips and downwardly over the lower end of the spine, so that the whole weight will, in fact, be carried on the hips where it can be most comfortably borne and will be distributed in such manner across the back of the body, as to minimize fatigue and making it extremely comfortable and natural forthe wearer to maintain at all times, a correct, upright, anatomical poise.

The corset of this invention is provided with suitable openings, for adjustment, and lacings cooperate with these openings to maintain them in the desired adjustment.

Features of the invention, other than those specified, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description and claims, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure l is a view of a corset embodying this invention, unlaced at the back and laid out flat.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the corset in place on a wearer.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the structure as shown in Figure 2; and,

Figure 4 is a back view of the structur v as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The corset of the present invention may be conveniently constructed in three major sections, namely, a front or abdominal section 1, and two back sections 2. The front section is adjustably associated along each of its lateral edges with the back sections by means of lacings 3, which may be regulated to control the size of side openings at, the front portion being preferably of such width that when a garment is in position on the wearer, the openings at will overlie the sides of the body. The contiguous edges of the back sec tions 2 are adapted to be united by lacings 5, as shown in Figure 4, and through the manipulation of this lacing, the back opening 6 may be regulated. It will be noted particularly from Figures 2 and 3, that the corset is made quite low at the top, so as not to extend above the bust line, but to leave this part of the figure uncovered and unencumbered. In practice, the corset is constructed, so as to extend upwardly to a position below the bust, whereby no constriction of these parts is effected.

As clearly apparent from Figures 1 and 3, the bottom or lower edge of the corset is somewhat irregular, the front section 1 being of appreciably less depth than the back sections 2. The back sections 2 are made suiiiciently long to extend downwardly over the hips of the wearer to or slightly below the crotch line, so as to overlie the hips and the seat, whereas the front section is so configurat-ed along its lower edge and proportioned that the contour of such edge will closely simulate the groin lines of the wearer and the front section is of such depth that when the garment is in place on the wearer, the lower edge of such section on either side of the medial line thereof, will coincide with and overlie the groin lines. In other words, the front section is so shaped that its lower edge will cling to the groin lines designated 7 in Figure 2, and thereby enable said section to closely conform to the lower ab domen.

The lower portion of the front section and in the medial line thereof is preferably provided with a reentrant portion 8 for ol)- vious reasons and particularly so as not to unduly eonstrict the pelvic region.

In pratcice, I may, if so desired, provide the front section 1 with a laced or hooked opening in the medial line thereof, but a much better construction results if the front section is closed along its medial line as shown in the drawings. preferably reinforce the vertical medial portion of the front section by seam tapes 9 ill) In any event, I

imam-264 thereon,.as shown in; Figurel, andiwhile stays may, ,ifrdesired, be positioned beneath these tapes, ,av far betteri construction results if the stays are-omitted. The front:sectioncf thecorset is -adapted to closely conform to the portion ofthe body which, it. overliesand to this end, it;is shaped or cut during manufacture: to, substantially the contourdesired. Adjustment, however, may be obtained in the upperi'portionby means ofaflopenings 10. provided with lacings 11; T'he'lowcrportion ofthis section is, however, prefe-rablyvwithout openings, since the greatestmveight:mustbe carried by this portion; and openings would, in 1 practice, cause chafing or, discomfort to-the wearer. In, orderthat the weight may be properly carried by the lower portionof:;therfront section,; the; sameis preferably. rein-forced by meansofa plurality. of carrying bands 12. The rear ends ofthese carrying bands-are firmly securedalong the side openingst of the corsetand thence extendto the medial line of the front section:in divergingprfanlike relation. and are firmly sewed to the garment; throughout; their entire extent, so as to form whatinay be graphically referred to; as-a fanlike sling,-,which is hung; at its opposite. ends froin the sides of: the body over the hips and substantially at the waist line, forwardly; and? downwardly, under and over the lower. abdomen.-. By: this construction, a sling of relatively broad expanse is positioned. over the: front: and; underthe lower abdomen and; the weight; imposed upon this sling is. carried; from the hips. This is a.very importanti featurein the corset. of this invention, since; itz-properly. distributes theweight. and lends natural com: fort. to the wearer.

Imorder that the strain:of-the-carrying bands 12 maybe properly withstoodat the lateral-edges of thefront section 1,.each1ot the back, sections is provided with a belt portion 13, substantially at the Waist-line thereof andtlirnilyv incorporated in the gar.- men-t during manufacture. hen 'the gar: inent thus formed is positioned on :the wearer, the pull; of the carryingbands,12; is transmitted. throu-gln the lacing; of? the side openings l, directly to the belt portionxlal, which extendssabouti the backofthe body and'over the lumbarv regionuand furnishes a firmsu-pport for the sling referred to The corset-as thus far; described has been found through itsapplication to:1'1uiner0us patients, to give unusual. results in the proper sustaining of; the weight 1 without fatiguing the wearer. However, in the pre: ferred constructioml find'that even better results can be obtainedby incorporatingin thestructureof; the corsetstapes .orbands 1 f which may 'bereferred to as; back; retaining bands; These,- bands are preferably sewed into the back sections 2 in such mam ner1 that theyw-ill, extend from I the :lJGliLiPOl tion 13. adjacent .the side openings t,v di agonally" downward-. across the back, sections toythe loweredge of the? corset.- at: theback open-ingt: as clearly shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4.- The: back section s-are madeof such lengththat at the back opening, their lower portions will, overlie the lower end (ofthe spine,,so that the backretaining bands{will extend: under the lower end of theispinal column, and below the buttocks, to the waist: line adjacent the side openings 4,. and'directly opposite the ends of the carrying bancls;..=12., \Vhe-n a corset thus constituted-is in position on the wearer, it'will appear; that aside from the front sling referred to, a back sling is also formed, which extends fromi one side opening 4t diagonally; down.- ward-inathe form of the-bands ltaorossthe lacing of the back opening and upwardly againthrough the other bands lttzto the waist-line adj acent:the other side opening,

This back sling, moreover, extends down wardly. and under the base OfqtllB spine {and under; the buttocks and wheniemployed in conjunction with the front sling referred to, effects an unusual mechanical result, never before utilizechincorset-construction,in'that the two slingsoperatingjn conjunction with one anather may be. said to :pass from onehip downwardly and under the lower abdomen to (the other hip, and :thence downwardly and under the base ofithespine to the beginning. The. advantage-of this construction is that thefront sling is supported by, the back sling; and viceversa'. and the abdominal weight is, imposed directly on the, hips or are above the hipsatthe waistsline;. To put the matter in another way, the;liip s.=carry the load in such :manner thatthe. broadening of-th'e hips .is-in-no wise hindered; It may be noted in thisirega-rd 1 if the front section of the corset was. made as long as. the. back section, as shownin Figure l, the lz'icingmf the. back opening tightly would produce the same effect; as pulling thestrap tiglgitly around. thehips; atthe crotch line. This would manifestly force the hips together and -if:the patient were well advanced in the stages of pregnancy, the child wouldrbe forced into an. abnormal position. However, inmaking the front section of the corsetshort, as showmand causing itto closely conform to-the groin on either side. of the medialline thereof, the tightening ofthe laces to bring-the corset closely into-conformity with the figure wouldmot serve to force the hips togethenbut. will, in contradistinction, serve to provide. a supporting uplift of thelower-abdoinen-withoutcoi-n-. pression. This is-the desideratul-irof the medical profession,- but has, prior to this corset, never been obtained in maternitycorsets. 1

Corsets have been-suggested which aim to' produce this result, but, in every instance, they have been so constructed that they either never would produce it, or if they did at the start, they would not long continue to do so, because they are improperly mechanically designed and will not stand up or hold their shape under wear, They invariably sag and produce more compression than support with consequent discomfort to the wearer and harm to the unborn child, due to unnatural lines.

The corset of the present invention may be provided with front garters 15 and side garters 16, although, if desired, these garters may be omitted.

Moreover, in the preferred manner of making the corset, the back sections 2 are preferably provided with stays 17, but I preferably use no stays in the front section. Stays in the front section, I find, in many instances, injure the breast and epigastric region, especially when they are positioned at or near the top. Moreover, they tend to impart the detrimental straight lines to the front of the corset, so common in prior garments.

By the formation of the corset in the manner described, I am enabled to obtain a snug fit in all cases, across the lower abdomen and give proper support without the employ ment of stays.

Moreover, the snug fit of the abdominal portion of the front section about the pelvic girdle and over the bony portion of the pelvis, without the employment of stays, gives great relief from sacro-iliac pains common during pregnancy are practically unknown by patients wearing the corset of this invention.

\Vhen the double sling arrangement referred to is employed, practice has shown that aside from supporting the abdominal portion of the wearer, the buttocks of the wearer is so held that a bending of the figure at the hips and protruding of the buttocks because of this bending or stooping posture, is entirely eliminated as the patient finds comfort when occupying a proper upright anatomical poise, when either sitting on standing.

Corsets have been heretofore suggested which have associated therewith a pouch adapted to extend over the lower abdomen and supported on a belt reaching about the back. Such devices, however, are entirely impractical and do not embody the present invention, for the reason that the pouch formation positively precludes the device from conforming to the lower abdomen or extending along the groin lines. The convex lower edge of the pouch forces the pouch up so that it is worn high, and, in practice, produces a pressure instead of a lifting action. The lower edge of the abdominal portion of the corset of this invention is made concave at both sides of the medial line so as to conform to the roin lines and thereby enable the front section to reach well in under the lower abdomen and come into a position where it is capable of furnishing the desired support.

This invention should not be confused with certain corsets of the prior art which were years ago suggested as helpful in assisting in supporting the abdomen either dur- 7 ing periods of pregnancy or otherwise, by utilizing straps or bands which pass through the crotch of the wearer or about the legs to hold the corset down. Corsets 'lronrtime to time in the past have been 8 made which embodystraps or broad band portions which extend between the legs for the purposes snecitied but my experience has conclusively shown that corsets of this character are not only torture to wear, particu- 3 larly in warm weather, but are unsanitary and completely undesirable, particularly for the prospective mother. The corset of the present invention, in contra-distinction, has a front portion which extends downwardly and terminates at the groin line of the wearer in a substantially free edge, as clearly shown in the drawings. True, garters are secured to this edge, but to all intents and purposes, such edge of the corset is a free edge as distinguished from prior supporting bands and straps which pass between the legs. The back portion of the present corset does not overlie the front of the legs and this feature, together with the 1 short front portion, allows the wearer to sit without creasing the corset at the groin line or in front of the legs as is almost universally the case in corset construction.

It will be understood that the specific in- 1 vention described may be modified in formal respects, such as by the substitution of equivalents, and that parts of the complete article described may be used alone, or in other environments, without departing from 1 the spirit or substance of the broad invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to se- 1 cure by Letters Patent is: i

1. A corset embodying a closed front portion and a back portion adapted, collectively to encircle the torso of a wearer, a belt section positioned at the waist line and incorporated in the back portion, and weight carrying bands incorporated in and extending across the front portion of the corset over the lower abdomen, said bands extending between the termini of the belt section where they are secured and being fanned out toward the medial line of the front portion whereby a sling is provided which transmits the strain to the belt section. above the hips.

wearer ing from above the hips downwardlyover the base of the buttocks to substantially 1 below the base of the spine, and weightrcarrying -bands incorporated in and extending across the abdominal portion ofthe corset between the tbllllilll of the said retaining bands, said weig'htcarrying bands being fanned out toward the medial line of the abdominal portion.

3; A closed front corset having -'an abdoininal portion covering the lower abdomen with its edges adapted to conform to the groin linesof the wearer andaback portionadapted to overlie the hips and buttocks, abdomen supportingbands incorporated in the front of the corset and extendingacross the same, said bands "terminating at the side substantially above" the hips and being flfan'n-ed out at "substantially the medial line of the abdominalportion,-and-aback be t' section incorporated in thecorset extendingfrom substantially the termini of said bands across the back of. the corset from each side whereby the beltsection serves as a substantial support for said bands, which function,together with thebeltyas an abdomen supporting sling.

4. ii-corset providedwith alaced opening in the inediallineof theback, supporting "bands incorporated in the front of the corset extendingacross the same and terminating'at the sides, and retaining bands incorporatedinthe back of the corset'and extendi'ngfrom each sideat apoint above the hips of the wearer-backward and down ward-ly below thebaseof the spine and over the base of the buttocks *to the back opening adjacent the lower edgeofthe-corset.

5; A'corset provided with a laced-opening in the medial line of the backand l-aced openings at each side of the body, supporting bands incorporated in the front of thecorset, extending across the same and terminating at the side openings, a belt section extending across the back of the corset from each side opening to the back opening, and additional supporting bands incorporated in the back of the corset and extending from each side opening above the hips of the wearer to the back opening adjacent the lower edge of the corset.

6. A corset embodying closed front portion and a back portion adapted to collectively encircle the torso of a wearer, said front portion extending downwardly below the waistline to the groin line of the human body and there shaped to conform with the groin lines of the human body on the opposite sides of the medial line of the front portion, a belt section positioned at the waistline and incorporated in the back portion,

weight carryingbands" incorporated in and extending across the front "portion 1 of the corset over the lower abdomen, said bands extending a between L the termini of the belt section and beingfanned out-toward the medial line of thefrontportion, Wherebya sling is ;-p rovided which transmits the strain tothebeltsection above the hips.

'7. "A corsetembodying aclosed front portion and a baek portion-adapted to collectively encircle thetorso of'a wearer, said front portion extending downwardly below the waistlineto the-groin line of the 'human bodyand there shaped to conform with the groin lines ofthe human bodyon the opposite sides ofthemedial line'of thefrontportion, a belt" section positioned 'at the waist line and incorporated in the backfportion,

weight carrying bands. incorporated in and extending across-the frontporti'on of the corset over the lower abdomen, "said bands extending between the "termini of the belt section and being fanned out toward the medial line of the front portion,' }whfer'eby' a sling is provided which transmits the "strain to J the belt section "above the "hips, andretaining bands incorporated in the back 1 portion and extending from the termini of the beltip'ortion downwardly over thebase of the buttockstosubstantiallythemedial:line of;

the back portion. H

8. A corset embodying a closed front portion adapted to overlie the front of the human body and extending downwardly below thewai'stlineover the abdomen and !termi-' nating in lower-edges which areshaped to coincide with and conform to the groin 111161? of thednnnan body, a. back portion adapted to overlie the back-and'sides 'of the wearer and extending downwardly belowthe waistline to overlie the hips and buttocks of the wearer, a belt =section positioned "approximately at f the waistline and incorporated in the back portion, "fabric weight carrying bands incorporat'ed inthe frontportionnnd extending across the same and fanned out toward the medial line of the front portion, whereby a sling is provided which transmits the strain on the bands to the belt section over the hips.

9. A corset embodying a closed front portion which extends downwardly below the wasteline to the groin lines of the wearer and the lower edges of which front portion are shaped to conform to and overlie the groin lines of the wearer, a back portion adapted to overlie the back and sides of the wearer and to extend downwardly below the waistline to overlie the hips and. buttocks, said back portion comprising two sections laced together in the medial line of the back, lacings for adjustably securing together the lateral edges of the front portion andvthe corresponding lateral edges of the back portion, a plurality of weight carrying bands incorporated in and extending transversely of the front portion and fanned out toward the medial line of the front portion, and a pluralit of retaining bands incorporated in the bac portion and extending upwardly and laterally from the opposite sides of the central back opening and adjacent the bottom thereof to the lateral edges of the back portion to points substantially juxtaposed with the termini of the weight carrying bands of the front portion. v

10. A corset embodying a closed front portion which extends downwardly below the waistline to the groin lines of the wearer and the lower edges of which front portion are shaped to conform to and overlie the groin lines of the wearer, a back portion adapted to overlie the back and sides of the wearer and to extend downwardly below the waist line to overlie the hips and buttocks, said back port-ion comprising two sections laced together in the medial line of the back, lacings for adjustably securing together the lateral edges of the front portion and the correspondin lateral edges of the back portion, a plura ity of weight'carrying bands incorporated in and extending transversely of the front portion and fanned out toward the medial line of the front portion, and a plurality of retaining bands incorporated in the back portion and extending upwardly and laterally from the opposite sides of the central back opening and adjacent the bottom thereof to the lateral edges of the back portion to points substantially juxtaposed with the termini of the weight carrying bands of the front portion, and belt sections extending transversely across the two sections of the back portion at substantially the waistline thereof.

11. A corset having a front portion extending downwardly from a point above the waistline to the groin lines of the wearer and there terminating in edges which are shaped to conform to and overlie the groin lines of the wearer, and garters depending from the lower edges of said front portion, said lower edges being otherwise free from attachment.

12. A corset having a front portion extending downwardly from a point above the waistline to the groin lines of the wearer and there terminating in edges which are shaped to conform to and overlie the groin lines of the wearer, and garters depending from the lower edges of said front portion, said lower edges being otherwise free from attachment, and a back portion secured to the front portion at the sides of the body and extending downwardly below the waist line to overlie the buttocks and having free lateral edges extending downwardly over the hips of the wearer below the lower edges of the front portion.

13. A corset having a front portion extending downwardly from above the waist line to the groin lines of the wearer and there terminating in edges which are shaped to conform to and overlie the groin lines of the wearer and to leave the front legs below the groin line and the crotch of the wearer unencumbered by close fitting corset structures. v

14. A corset having a front portion extending downwardly from above the waistline to the groin lines of the wearer and there terminating in edges which are shaped to conform to and overlie the groin lines of the wearer, and a back portion secured to the front portion at the sides of the body and extending downwardly below the waist line to overlie the buttocks and having free lateral edges extending downwardly over the hips of the wearer below the lower edges of the front portion, to leave the front of the legs below the groin lines and the crotch of the wearer unencumbered by close fitting corset structures.

In testimony whereof I have signed the foregoing specification.

ALEATHA H. LOCKWOOD. 

